Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation (swelling) in the lungs.  It is usually caused by an infection from bacteria, a virus, a fungus, or even a parasite.  But, the swelling can also be caused by a foreign object, like food or vomit, that is breathed into the lungs.  Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.

THE MAIN CAUSES OF PNEUMONIA

• Breathing germs into the lungs
• Breathing bacteria from the nose, mouth and throat into the lungs (during sleep)
• A weakened immune system
• Having a viral or upper respiratory infection
• A complication of another illness such as measles or chickenpox
• Breathing in food particles, stomach juices or vomit due to difficulty swallowing
• Having a chronic illness such as COPD 

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA

• High fever, chills
• A “wet” cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Stabbing pain with breathing

TIPS FOR PREVENTING PNEUMONIA

• Observe your clients carefully.  Any respiratory changes that linger for two or more days should be reported to your supervisor immediately.
• Protect your clients from illness.  If you notice that friends or family members seem sick with a respiratory illness, don’t be shy about asking them to wash their hands frequently and to cough into a tissue or their sleeve.  
• Wash your hands often according to workplace policy.
• Encourage vaccinations for your clients, including the flu and pneumonia vaccines.
• Provide frequent mouth care.  By removing bacteria from the mouth, there is less chance of it entering the lungs. 
• Promote healthy living.  Encourage your clients to eat right, get adequate rest and to maintain a reasonable weight. In addition, light exercise has many benefits, including assisting with weight control and giving the immune system a boost.